Phnom Penh Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Where to Stay & Travel Tips
Phnom Penh completely surprised us.
As Cambodia’s capital, we expected chaos (and yes, there is some), but it’s also one of the most eye-opening and important stops in any Cambodia travel guide. From learning about the devastating history of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek to rooftop sunsets over the Mekong River, visiting Phnom Penh is an experience you won’t forget.
In this Phnom Penh travel guide, we’re sharing everything you need to know, from where to stay and what to eat, to the best things to do in Phnom Penh, plus our honest travel tips from being there ourselves.
Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, are the best products possible whilst travelling.
Where is Phnom Penh?
Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia, located where the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers meet. It’s the country’s economic hub and often the starting point for travellers heading on to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat.
How Long in Phnom Penh?
Recommended: 2–4 days. We stayed longer over multiple visits, but for most travellers:
- 2 days → highlights only
- 3 days → ideal balance
- 4+ days → slower pace + food + nightlife
If you are still unsure how long to stay in Phnom Penh for, check out our guide Is Phnom Penh Worth Visiting to see if it’s somewhere you want to visit.
Phnom Penh Travel Guide Map
How to Get to Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is one of the easiest places to reach in Cambodia.
- International flights via Bangkok, Seoul, etc.
- Buses from anywhere in Cambodia
- Easy routes from Siem Reap and Kampot
\We recommend booking via BookMeBus or 12Go Asia, it’s what we used across Cambodia.
Where to stay in Phnom Penh
We stayed in BKK1 (Sangkat Boeng Keng Kang) area, and honestly think it’s the best area.
Budget / Social
Mad Monkey Hostel – One of our favourite hostels in Cambodia (we stayed 3 times). Great vibe, easy to meet people, amazing food.
Alternative Hostel
The Big Easy Hostel – Clean, social, and great breakfast (from friends’ reviews).
Mid-Range Hotels
Best Things to Do in Phnom Penh
Learn About the Khmer Rouge Regime
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
A former school turned prison under the Khmer Rouge regime. Over 18,000 people were imprisoned here.
We highly recommend getting a guide; it completely changes the experience.
Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
Located just outside the city, this is where many victims were executed.
We did both in one day via tuk-tuk (~$15–20 total).
It’s heavy, but essential.
Visit Temples & Royal Landmarks
- Royal Palace Phnom Penh
- Silver Pagoda
- Wat Phnom
These are some of the top things to do in Phnom Penh and give a glimpse into Cambodian culture.
Explore Markets
Both the Central Market and Russian Market Phnom Penh were highlights of our visit! Great for souvenirs, clothes, street food and people watching.
Walk Along Sisowath Quay
The riverside area along the Sisowath Quay is perfect for:
- Sunset walks
- Street food
- Riverside bars
Nightlife & Rooftop Bars
Phnom Penh has a surprisingly good nightlife scene, whether you are enjoying rooftop drinks overlooking the city, exploring Bassac Lane (our favourite area) or checking out Phnom Penh’s Night Market for food + vibes.
Food, Street Food & Cafes
Phnom Penh is a great place to try Cambodian food and international cuisine.
Our Top Picks:
- Mama Wong’s – Best meal and dumplings we had
- Khmer Surin – Traditional Cambodian
- Backyard Cafe – Great brunch
- Street food stalls – cheap + everywhere
We highly recommend trying a local food tour if you’re short on time.
Day Trips from Phnom Penh
If you’ve got extra time:
- Mekong River sunset cruise
- Silk Island
- Rural Cambodian villages
Phnom Penh Travel Tips
- It’s really hot! – plan breaks during midday
- Use tuk-tuks (Grab app) – cheap and easy
- Dress modestly for temples
- Do historical sites early – they’re intense and can get busy
- Take time to relax – this city can feel overwhelming at times
- Pack light, especially if backpacking. Check out our full Cambodia Packing Guide for specifics
For some extra tips for beyond Phnom Penh, we have a full Tips for Visiting Cambodia guide.
FAQ: Phnom Penh Travel Guide
Yes, 100%! It’s one of the most important places to understand Cambodia’s history and culture.
2 to 3 days is ideal for most travellers.
Generally, yes, but be mindful of pickpocketing, scams and heavy traffic.
Yes, most people do both as part of a Cambodia trip.
Final Thoughts on This Phnom Penh Travel Guide
Phnom Penh isn’t the easiest city, but that’s what makes it so impactful.
It’s raw, real, and one of the most authentic travel experiences we had in Southeast Asia. Between the history, the food, the people, and the chaos, it’s a place that really stays with you.
If you’re planning a Cambodia trip, don’t skip it; it adds so much depth to your journey before heading to places like Angkor Wat or the islands.
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Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, are the best products possible whilst travelling.
You two have the best travel guides! Saving this article for our Cambodia trip! Thank you for sharing all the best things to see and do in Phnom Penh. The food looks amazing.
You’re so kind Ashlee, thank you! It was really surprising how good (and affordable) the food was; definitely a must-try.
That’s so awesome you were able to spend a month in Cambodia! I love to learn the history of the places I visit, so I would love to visit the S21 Museum. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thanks for your kind words Brittany. If you ever go, we’d definitely recommend staying as long as possible; it’s really worth it!
Phnom Penh looks incredible! The food, markets, and architecture look so good! Saving for a trip in the future 🙂
Thanks so much Laura! It was definitely an experience but we ended up loving Phnom Penh.
Visiting Cambodia is one of my dreams! You have done such an amazing trip and these are great suggestions! I hope I can visit one day!
It is genuinely such a beautiful place! Thanks so much Laura; love your blog.
This post is awesome and makes me want to visit Cambodia! I love a good educational tour, even when sad…which is why I would like to visit the S21 Museum. I’ve never had Cambodian food but I imagine it’s similar to Thai and Vietnamese food…I think I would love Mama Wongs! I love good dumplings and cocktails!
You must go. Cambodian food is lovely; a lot similar to Thai food and a lot of curries. The S21 Museum was very harrowing but was really good to visit.
All great suggestions! I hope to visit Cambodia soon and I’d love to check out the temples, and restaurants. Mama Wong’s sounds delicious and I’m sure the views from the Juniper Gin Bar were unforgettable!
Thanks so much for your comment Lenore! Let us know if you do visit and what you think of Mama Wong’s and the Juniper Gin Bar.
This is such a great guide to Phnom Penh! The temples and markets are always worth a visit.
Thank you so much Daniella; they really are!
For me, those gorgeous temples would be at the top of the list to visit here!
Definitely; they’re so beautiful!
This is an excellent guide to Phnom Penh. I have always wanted to visit Cambodia and hope to get there someday. I love Asian food and spend my time in the markets, especially the night markets. Discovering the temples and architecture will also be high on my list.
Thanks so much Mayi! Cambodia really is worth visiting; everything about the country really surprised us. Hope you get to visit one day and if you do, do let us know what you think.
Great tips on places to stay. I love that some offer apartments. I’ll be sure not to stay in China town. That museum sounds really cool and I promise not to skip it when I go!
Thank you for your kind words Megan. Let us know what you think when you visit!
Love all these great tips! Your curated list of recommendations make an ultimate travel guide to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Would want to visit the Killing Fields especially.
Thank you so much, glad you think this guide is helpful.
Enjoyed this article on Phnom Penh! And the food looks yummy – Mama Wong’s dumplings would be my go to item!
Mama Wong’s is an absolute must! Really pleased you enjoyed this article Erin.
Thanks so much for this helpful guide! Cambodia is high on my list of places to visit. I can imagine how difficult it is to visit the Killing Fields and S21 Museum, but those represent important parts of the history and culture.
It really is worth visiting and totally agree with your point on it’s history and culture; you’ll definitely need a cocktail afterwards!
This is such an incredible guide. And the food looked amazing! The Phnon Penh Night Market looked especially fun.
Thanks so much Yvonne! The food was one of the best we’ve tasted so far.
I enjoyed reading about your experiences in Phnom Penh as it brought back some great memories of my Cambodia trip. I loved the palace & the national museum but found the war memorials pretty disturbing. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for your comment Linda. Really pleased you were able to enjoy Phnom Penh to; a beautiful place!
Phnom Penh looks amazing, so does the hostel. What a great looking place. Seems like there’s lots to do here, and a good bit of history too which is what I’d be most interested in knowing more about in Cambodia. Good tips about the season to travel – I remember not knowing the best time to visit Thailand the first time I went and I could barely handle the heat.
The heat really is something else, isn’t it?! We absolutely LOVE Phnom Penh; such amazing history!
Such an interesting place! I’m sure the museum & killing fields are hard to take in, but probably similar to visiting the 9/11 memorial here in the states – it’s horrible, but a really good thing to remember. Everything else there looks so fun & colorful! Thanks for sharing.
Yes, they’re really similar but absolutely agree! Thanks for your comment Jody.
I love your website!! And all you recommendations. I love how authentic you are.
Thank you so much Lauren; we really appreciate your kind words!
I went to Cambodia in 2013 and I loved reminiscing through your experience – it’s amazing how they managed to change so much and yet still stay the same! Did you make it to Siem Reap, it was beautiful there too!
So glad you could do that Shafinah, we absolutely loved our trip here! Yes we did and really enjoyed it there aswell; feel free to check out our travel guide 😉